Leadership - the key to achieving greater respect

For leaders of business, "It's not just about leading people in the office, but demonstrating principles that inspire people to believe in us," says former Adecco CEO Ray Roe.

Respect and making a difference are just two principles that Roe believes that when followed, improves respect and relationships between leaders and co-workers.

Respect

Everyone in the industry talks about respect, Roe notes, "but the biggest problem with respect is that... a lot of people just talk about it".

He says that when someone is in a position of authority - whether as an employer or by delivering a service - "you are not entitled to any respect, you must earn your respect".

"But the people who work for you, and the people you're working on behalf of, are entitled to your respect," he says. "And if you as a leader or an office manager are so precious that you want people to demonstrate respect for you and you start using the phrase 'well, I'm the boss, you have to show me some respect', you are on the wrong foot."

A true leader, he says, earns respect from others through their performance - "by what you do, by how you treat [people]; they then of course respond pretty well".

Make a difference

Roe went onto explain that "We make a difference in people's lives every day and you can decide to make a positive difference, or you can not decide and let things go, or you can decide to make a negative difference.

"Just the way you talk to people makes a difference in people's lives, so if you're in this industry and you want to be good at this, decide today to go out and make a difference, one step at a time."

[Source: Recruiter Daily Monday 24 August 2009]